News + Events

Alta

Spragins Cycle Track Opening – First Protected Bike Lane in Alabama

Alabama’s First Protected Bike Lane Opens in Huntsville

A transformation of three city blocks into a bicycling connector on which bikes and cars will co-exist equally “wasn’t so simple as just slapping down some green paint,” as Dennis Madsen puts it. The makeover of Spragins Street in downtown Huntsville, with its new green stripes and bike silhouettes, has been the product of months of planning and discussion, expert advice and new technology. The latter includes small radars so sophisticated that they can detect bicycles and trigger traffic signals to give cyclists the right-of-way.

As the Spragins cycle track is officially unveiled, it’s a milestone event, yet still just a small step for the cycling community and future transportation in Huntsville.